At least a dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators were detained by police at the University of California, Irvine as they cleared an encampment in front of a lecture hall on Wednesday. The incident occurred when a group of several hundred protestors entered the UC Irvine campus and surrounded the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall around 2:30 p.m. The university issued an emergency update and called for assistance from local law enforcement, including the Irvine Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Aerial footage from news networks showed law enforcement using zip ties to restrain protesters and escorting them away from the encampment towards a parking lot. The police started breaking up the encampment shortly after 5:10 p.m., with officers surrounding the group of tents outside the hall and detaining several protesters.
The protesters had established the encampment on April 29, demanding divestment from companies with financial ties to Israel. Chancellor Howard Gillman had been negotiating with the protesters over their demands, but expressed concerns over some of the requests made in a counterproposal received in early May.
Gillman stated that the counterproposal called for ending external partnerships supporting students and research collaborations, as well as terminating academic and research collaborations with Israeli organizations and individuals. He emphasized the university's commitment to academic freedom, anti-discrimination, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Classes were canceled for the remainder of the day on Wednesday, and the university advised people to stay away from campus. Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan criticized the use of violence in response to peaceful protests, urging UCI leadership to prevent a violent scenario and ensure the safety of students.
The situation remains ongoing, with the university continuing to engage with the protesters while maintaining a focus on safety and academic principles.
